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Housing and Homelessness
Housing issues affect everyone in Connecticut, from those who are searching for a safe place to live, to those who may find it increasingly difficult to afford a place they already call home.WNPR is covering Connecticut's housing and homelessness issues in a series that examines how residents are handling the challenges they face. We look at the trends that matter most right now, and tell stories that help bring the issues to light.

Homeless Shelter in Manchester Opts to Close Rather Than Take In Substance Abusers

Connecticut Public Radio | By The Associated Press
Published April 16, 2015 at 8:07 AM EDT
Heather Brandon
/
WNPR
Bunk beds in a homeless shelter in a file photo.

A Manchester social service agency will close its 40-bed homeless shelter July 1 rather than comply with a state order to admit homeless people who abuse alcohol and drugs. 

Beth Stafford, executive director of the Manchester Area Conferences of Churches, said Wednesday that funding of $174,000 from the state Department of Housing of a total $330,000 shelter budget would be tied to admitting people who are actively drinking and using drugs.

Stafford said the organization does not have the staff and money to supervise abusers of alcohol and drugs. She also said staff and officials are concerned about safety of staff members.

Lisa Tepper Bates, executive director of the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness, said emergency shelters should serve people who need shelter, including those who drink and use drugs.
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SOMOS CONNECTICUT is an initiative from Connecticut Public, the state’s local NPR and PBS station, to elevate Latino stories and expand programming that uplifts and informs our Latino communities. Visit CTPublic.org/latino for more stories and resources. For updates, sign up for the SOMOS CONNECTICUT newsletter at ctpublic.org/newsletters.

SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

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You just read trusted, local journalism that’s free for everyone, thanks to donors like you.

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